Hi
If I remember my fusion physics correctly, most of the energy released in
a fusion reactor is carried away in the form of atomic and subatomic
particles. The JET experiment in plasma confinement indicated that the
proposed follow up reactor experiments would require a Lithium blanket to
absorb the most dangerous products, and the generated heat would be fed
off to produce electricity. In addition, it may be possible to tap the
energy of particles not absorbed by Lithium (and the other sheild
materials) by using a sort of reverse particle accelerator. As to
neutrinos, as they have virtually no mass, and only posess the property of
'spin', and an electron and a proton (or heavier particles) are produced
with every neutrino, I do not think that significant energy loss will be
due to neutrinos.
In Traveller terms, the TL 9 reactors are production models of the current
experimental plans, while the increased efficiency comes from a
combination of perfection of particle accelerator technology, and the
introduction of gravitic (to supplement magnetic) plasma confinement.
Given the existence of neutrino sensors, it may be ossible to 'capture'
the energy lost by neutrino emission. However, as powerplants are
detected by neutrino sensors according to their output, regardless of TL,
this is either not widespread or not efficient.
Stewart [email removed]